IMC 2007: Sessions

This project aims to identify the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts which might have been used for teaching purposes, whether in the classroom or for self-study. A database of the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts (and works either of continental or insular origin), which were used as teaching tools, has been planned and set up; it contains, at the moment, a complete description of the content of 20 codices, with identification of all the other witnesses in the database (either in Latin or in Old English, including glosses and glossaries). The analysis of the contents of the manuscripts in question has provided a number of criteria for the assessment of their didactic character and has so far allowed the identification of further codices meeting such criteria.

The purposes, choices, and the progress of the database will be presented and discussed at the conference.

Alongside well-known curriculum texts, such as the Disticha Catonis or Sedulius's Paschale Carmen, several minor works (e.g. Iudicii signum
[ICL 8945], Nocte pluit tota [ICL 10279], Sedulius Domini [ICL 14842], Sedulius Christi [ICL 14841]), occurring in Anglo-Saxon miscellaneous manuscripts, have been identified and studied in the light of a possible didactic use; a choice of these poems will be presented at the conference, as well as other features of the content of the manuscripts in the database.

As the construction of the database is still in progress, the data gathered by July 2007 will doubtless be much more numerous and detailed.

Purpose: The project, which is being carried out by a research group from the University of Palermo (including P. Lendinara, L. Teresi, C.
Giliberto and F. Alcamesi) in connection with two other Italian research groups – based in Udine and Rome (LUMSA) – aims to offer a better understanding of the forms and contents of instruction in Anglo-Saxon England.